Exosuit

Abstract

An exosuit which assists a user with lifting a load has increased useful life. The exosuit comprises a first vest, a first air rail extending along the first vest, a plurality of inflatable first air bags, with each air bag of the plurality of first air bags operatively connected to the first air rail such that each air bag is inflatable concurrently, and a protective cover corresponding to each air bag, wherein each air bag is positioned inside a corresponding protective cover so as to operatively surround the corresponding air bag.

Description

EXOSUITThis patent application claims priority benefit of US Provisional Patent application # 63 / 609,510, filed on December 13, 2023.FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to exosuits, and more particularly to exosuits suitable for use for shifting load on a user.BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Exosuits are design for load adjustment by users. Exosuits may be used for medical, military and industrial applications for example. An exosuit helps transfer load away from one part of a body to another (usually stronger) part of the body. For example, an exosuit may be used to transfer load from the upper body to the legs, and thereby assist with lifting loads. It is also desirable to provide an exosuit which acts to remind a user of proper form.

[0003] US Patent Publication 2022 / 0211566 to Yeow et al discloses an exoskeleton having a series of pneumatic actuator elements. This advantageously helps shift load away from the upper body. It would be desirable to provide an exosuit which islightweight, easy to use, which transfers load effectively, and which has increased useful life.SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004] In accordance with a first aspect, an exosuit assists a user with lifting a load and has an increased useful life. The exosuit comprises a first vest, a first air rail extending along the first vest, a plurality of inflatable first air bags, with each air bag of the plurality of first air bags operatively connected to the first air rail such that each air bag is inflatable concurrently, and a protective cover corresponding to each air bag, wherein each air bag is positioned inside a corresponding protective cover so as to operatively surround the corresponding air bag.

[0005] From the foregoing disclosure and the following more detailed description of various embodiments it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that the present invention provides a significant advance in the technology of exosuits. Particularly significant in this regard is the potential the invention affords for providing a lightweight, and easy to use exosuit with increased useful life. Additional elements and advantages of various embodiments will be better understood in view of the detailed description provided below.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0006] Figs. 1-2 are a front view and a back view, respectively, of an exosuit in accordance with one embodiment.

[0007] Fig. 3 is an isometric view of an exosuit in accordance with one embodiment, showing a pair of vests with each one vest opened to reveal a plurality of protective covers, with each protective cover adapted to receive an inflatable air bag.

[0007] Fig. 4 is another isometric view of the exosuit of Fig. 1 focusing on one (left) vest with an unzipped cover, revealing a plurality of protective covers and one cover opened to reveal an air bag.

[0009] Fig. 5 shows an air rail assembly in accordance with one embodiment operatively connected to a plurality of air bags.

[0010] Fig. 6 shows a close up of a release valve and port positioned on the left vest in accordance with one embodiment.

[0011] It should be understood that the appended drawings are not necessarily to scale, presenting a somewhat simplified representation of various features illustrative of the basic principles of the invention. The specific design features of the exosuit as disclosed here, including, for example, the specific dimensions of each protective cover and its corresponding air bag, will be determined in part by the particular intended application and use environment. Certain features of the illustrated embodiments have beenenlarged or distorted relative to others to help provide clear understanding. In particular, thin features may be thickened, for example, for clarity of illustration. All references to direction and position, unless otherwise indicated, refer to the orientation illustrated in the drawings.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF CERTAIN EMBODIMENTS

[0012] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art, that is, to those who have knowledge or experience in this area of technology, that many uses and design variations are possible for the exosuit disclosed here. The following detailed discussion of various alternate elements and embodiments will illustrate the general principles of the invention with reference to an exosuit especially useful for industrial applications, that is, situations where a user wants to transfer some load from his upper body to his legs.Other embodiments suitable for other applications will be apparent to those skilled in the art given the benefit of this disclosure.

[0013] Turning now to the drawings, Fig. 1 shows an exosuit 10 in accordance with one embodiment. The exosuit disclosed herein accomplishes several things simultaneously. First, some load is transmitted from a user’s upper body to the lower body. Second, the exosuit has sufficient rigidity to encourage proper posture. Both of these advantages help reduce the risk of injury to people tasked with carrying relatively heavy items. The exosuit has a shoulder harness 20, and at least one vest. The exosuit 10 is shown here having a first vest and a second vest, that is, a right vest 40 and a left vest 30 (asviewed when worn). Typically, where a pair of vests are used, the vests are symmetrical and mirror images of one another. The shoulder harness can be removably connected to the vests in one of several ways. In the embodiment shown in the drawings, the shoulder harness 20 has a left shoulder strap 21 and a right shoulder strap 22, each connected to a corresponding vest by a belt and buckle (left buckle 24 and right buckle 26). The shoulder harness defines a gap 23 for a person’s head.

[0014] In Fig. 1 the right vest 40 is shown with a first or right outer front 42. First zipper 90 is provided, typically running along the side away from the front. The right outer cover can be opened with zipper 90, revealing a first interior 91 of the right vest 40. The vest 40 is provided with an air rail 44 and first air supply tubes 45 extending from the rail towards a corresponding protective cover 66. A corresponding second zipper 80, similar to the first zipper 90, air line / rail 34, air supply tube 35, second, left outer front 32 and left vest interior (not shown) is provided in the left vest 30. The rails 34, 44 are positioned towards the outside of the corresponding vest, away from the center. The left vest 30 is shown with a left outer front 32, a release valve 25 for deflation, and a port 27 for inflation. The valve 25 and port 27 can be on either vest on the front or elsewhere on the exosuit and a connecting tube 37 (shown in Fig. 5) may be provided operatively connecting the rails 34, 44 such that both vests are inflated or deflated simultaneously. The connecting tube 37 may be routed through the shoulder harness 20.

[0015] A series of straps may be provided to attach the exosuit to a user. A chest strap 50 is shown which fits around a user’s chest. A waist strap 68 can also be provided which fits around a user’s waist. These two straps cooperate to secure the exosuit 10 to the user. A left thigh strap 55 operatively connects the exosuit to one of the user’s thighs, and right thigh strap 65 operatively connects the exosuit to another of the user’s thighs. In accordance with a highly advantageous element, some of the load a person my encounter lifting items can be transferred away from the person’s upper body to the lower body via the thigh straps attached to the corresponding vests.

[0016] In addition to the right vest zipper 90, a left vest zipper 80 may also be provided, again positioned on a side of the corresponding vest 30. Center zipper 70 is shown releasably connecting the left vest to the right vest for ease is taking on and off the exosuit. Also, each protective cover can be provided with a protective cover zipper 60 to allow access to an interior of the protective cover containing an air bag.

[0017] Figs. 2-3 show a front view and a back view of the exosuit 10 as it would be typically worn by a user. Left shoulder strap 21 and right shoulder strap 22 cooperate to define the gap 23 for the head of the user, left vest 30 (having left outer cover 32) and right vest 40 (having right outer cover 42), left zipper 80 and right zipper 90. Valve 25 and port 27 are also shown. The series of protective covers are inside each vest 30, 40, and can be exposed by pulling down the left vest zipper 80 and right vest zipper 90. Fig. 3 is the back view showing the back 28, operatively connecting the vests and theshoulder harness, and showing the back side view of the chest strap 50, waist strap 68 and thigh straps 55, 65.

[0018] In operation, inflated airbags of the exosuits both transmit load away from the back to the legs and remind the user to maintain good posture when lifting, by being slightly bulky if a user tries to lift something using only his back. In accordance with a highly advantageous element, it has been discovered that the useful life of the exosuits can be materially enhanced by not only placing the air bags in an interior of each of the vests, but also providing a protective cover for all of the air bags individually. Fig. 4 shows a highly advantageous design with a plurality of protective covers 66 extending along the length of left vest 30. The exact number of airbags / covers positioned along each vest can vary depending on the size of the exosuit. As noted above, when two vests are used the vests and the components in the vests can largely be mirror images of one another. Further, each protective cover 66 inside either vest mostly surrounds one inflatable air bag 36. There are a plurality of first air bags / first protective covers positioned in the first interior 91 of right vest 40 and a plurality of second air bags / second protective covers positioned in the second interior 92 of right vest 30. In operation adjacent covers 66 will contact one another, protecting the air bags from wear.

[0019] Inflatable bag 36 is positioned inside each corresponding protective cover 66, which are in turn positioned in second interior 92 of the left vest 30. Optionally the bags 36 may be accessed by a protective cover zipper 60. Each bag is connected to acorresponding second air supply tube 35 which extends through the corresponding protective cover 66 and is in turn connected to the air line 34 in vest 30.(Corresponding air line 44 and air supply tube 45 is provided on the right vest 40).Preferably the air supply tubes are spaced equidistantly apart so that the corresponding air bags 36 (and corresponding protective cover 66) are also spaced equidistantly apart on each vest. Application of air pressure (such as by connecting a pump to the port 27) inflates all of the air bags. Typically, each first protective cover abuts against an adjacent first protective cover when the first air bags are inflated in operation, and in a similar manner each second protective cover abuts against an adjacent second protective cover when the second air bags are inflated to provide consistent load transfer throughout the exosuit. It has been found that isolating each air bag in an individual protective cover in this manner significantly extends the useful life of these exosuits by preventing wear and tear of the inflatable bags.

[0020] Fig. 5 is a simplified schematic view of the air bags 36 with the protective covers removed. The air bags 36 are operatively connected to the left air supply line 34 and right air supply rails / l ine 44 via corresponding air supply tubes 35, 45. The air rails 34, 44 are connected to each other via the connective tube 37. Fig. 6 shows the port 27 and valve 25. Inflation through port 27 inflates all of the plurality of air bags via this network.

[0021] Advantageously the exosuit components may be made of relatively lightweight materials. Decreasing the weight of the exosuit makes it more comfortable for thepeople using such exosuits, and also increases the likelihood of compliance and adoption where the exosuit is required.

[0022] From the foregoing disclosure and detailed description of certain embodiments, it will be apparent that various modifications, additions and other alternative embodiments are possible without departing from the true scope of the invention. The embodiments discussed were chosen and described to provide the best illustration of the principles of the invention and its practical application to thereby enable one of ordinary skill in the art to use the invention in various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. All such modifications and variations are within the scope of the invention as determined by the appended claims when interpreted in accordance with the breadth to which they are fairly, legally, and equitably entitled.

Claims

CLAIMSWhat is claimed is:1 . An exosuit for assisting a user with lifting a load, comprising, in combination: a first vest; a first air rail extending along the first vest; a plurality of inflatable first air bags, with each air bag of the plurality of first air bags operatively connected to the first air rail such that each air bag is inflatable concurrently; and a protective cover corresponding to each air bag, wherein each air bag is positioned inside a corresponding protective cover so as to operatively surround the corresponding air bag.

2. The exosuit of claim 1 further comprising a second vest, with a second air rail extending along the second vest and operatively connected to the first air rail; a plurality of second inflatable air bags, with each air bag of the second inflatable air bags operatively connected to the second air rail such that each of the plurality of second air bags are inflatable concurrently with the first air bags; and additional protective cover corresponding to each air bag, wherein each of the plurality of second inflatable air bags is positioned inside of a corresponding one of the additional protective covers so as to operatively surround the corresponding second air bag.

3. The exosuit of claim 1 wherein the first vest defines a first interior, the second vest defines a second interior, the first rail, plurality of first protective covers and corresponding first air bags are positioned in the first interior, and the second rail, plurality of second protective covers and corresponding second air bags are positioned in the second interior.

4. The exosuit of claim 3 wherein each first protective cover abuts against an adjacent first protective cover when the first air bags are inflated; and each second protective cover abuts against an adjacent second protective cover when the second air bags are inflated.

5. The exosuit of claim 3 further comprising a first zipper on the first vest allowing for access to the first interior, and a second zipper on the second vest allowing for access to the second interior.

6. The exosuit of claim 5 further comprising a plurality of air tubes extending from the first rail, wherein each first air tube engages a corresponding one of the first air bags, allowing for inflation each of the first air bags when air is supplied to the first rail; and a plurality of second air tubes extending from the second rail, wherein each second air tube engages a corresponding one of the second air bags, allowing for inflation of each of the second air bags when air is supplied to the second rail.

7. The exosuit of claim 6 wherein the plurality of first air tubes are positioned equidistant from one another along the first air rail, and the plurality of second air tubes are positioned equidistant from one another along the second air rail.

8. The exosuit of claim 6 further comprising a shoulder harness connecting the first vest and the second vest and defining a gap for a head of a person, and a connecting tube is positioned in the shoulder harness operatively connecting the first air rail to the second air rail.

9. The exosuit of claim 8 further comprising a back connecting the first vest to the second vest on a back side, a chest strap, a waist strap, a pair of thigh straps, and a front zipper between the first and the second vest on a front side.

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